“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
This week, we have been discussing the call that followers of Christ have to serve and love one another in the same way that Christ loved and served while He was on earth. We have also acknowledged the difficulty of this call. After all, it goes against our natural, human tendency, which is to be selfish rather than look out for the needs of others instead of our own. The question we are going to look at today is, how do we live this way? How do we follow Christ's example of love, humility, sacrifice, and service in our daily lives? Of course, we pray and ask God to help us live this way. Secondly, we pursue spiritual growth. As we grow, we become increasingly like Christ and represent His love, sacrifice, and humility to those around us.
Jesus encouraged His followers to pursue spiritual growth shortly before His death, as recorded in John 15. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus told His followers, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" (verse 5). Jesus used this picture of a vine and branches to help His disciples (and us) understand the importance of growth. You see, in order to grow, a branch must remain connected to the vine. Without connection to the vine, the branch will wither. Similarly, without a connection to Christ, we cease to grow. In other words, without pursuing Christ, we cannot grow. We cannot have a mindset of humility and service. We need Christ to work in our lives and change our hearts. This is the only way for us to grow.
We know that we have to “remain in” or stay close to Christ if we want to grow, but what does this look like on a regular basis? It looks like spending daily, consistent time in prayer and Scripture. After all, the more time we spend with God, the more He will transform our hearts and minds to become more like Him.
My friend, if you want to have strong relationships, especially a strong marriage, where you have a mindset of service and humility, start by growing in your relationship with God. As you do, He will change your heart and mind. He will help you follow Jesus' example of humility, service, and love.
What can you do today to pursue spiritual growth? Perhaps you can spend time throughout your day praying, talking to God at every step. Perhaps pursuing spiritual growth for you looks like memorizing Scripture, starting with a verse or two from John 15. Perhaps pursuing spiritual growth involves starting one of our Bible reading plans on the Sagebrush App. Whatever it looks like for you, take a step toward spiritual growth today.
John 15:1-11
1“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
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